Speedometer freaks out at 55+

[jimmydean]

So I bought a gauge cluster off ebay and redid the faces trying to avoid pulling mine. I got it all installed and hooked up, then took it for a spin over the weekend.

When I got to about 55 or so, the speedo started making a funny whine and I noticed my speed jumped all the way up. When I slowed down, it was fine at 35, but would freak out again when I speed up.

So I pulled out the cable, checked it for wear, reinstalled it and it was a little better. It does make some gear type noises at higher speeds, but it also seemed to get a little better the longer I drove. I only put on about 5 miles total. Is this normal? Should I put something on the cable like lube or WD40 or something? My old speedo didn't do this, but I didn't put the white face on my old one either. Thanks.

[shifty]

mine did this because the cable wasn't lubed well enough. it would freak out around 30 and make that spinning noise you mention. i don't think the gauge was the problem.

[ChevLoRay]

Mine does this in cold weather, but not so in hot weather.

Changed the cable on my sons' '69, right after we got it, because the needle was hyperactive. Solved the problem. That is what I will have to do to mine, but not until (1) the cable breaks, or (2) I pull the cluster for the interior painting.

[Fred T]

There's a special graphite base cable lube just for speedo cables that doesn't get hard in the winter. Used to be able to buy it at parts store, but I haven't bought any in years so I don't know if they carry it. Some guys in the south have used a moly base grease, but it doesn't work to well if the temp gets much below freezing. You need to work it into the cable, put the lube in your palm and squeeze it around the cable, working the cable back and forth.

[Jerry Jones]

I had one that did the same thing, pulled the cable, lubed it with the graphite lube... problem solved

[MisterMan]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

So I bought a gauge cluster off ebay and redid the faces trying to avoid pulling mine. I got it all installed and hooked up, then took it for a spin over the weekend.

When I got to about 55 or so, the speedo started making a funny whine and I noticed my speed jumped all the way up. When I slowed down, it was fine at 35, but would freak out again when I speed up.

So I pulled out the cable, checked it for wear, reinstalled it and it was a little better. It does make some gear type noises at higher speeds, but it also seemed to get a little better the longer I drove. I only put on about 5 miles total. Is this normal? Should I put something on the cable like lube or WD40 or something? My old speedo didn't do this, but I didn't put the white face on my old one either. Thanks.

yea, try going down to the local dirt bike store and buy some cable luber.... hose that sucker!!! if that dosent work, just buy another... keep in mind.. that cable lube will be about 1/2 the price of a new cable!!! lol.... inspect the gauge gears for missing teeth exc.